UP student slapping row: School shut pending probe after teacher instructs slaps

UP student slapping row: In response to a distressing incident that recently came to light, the Uttar Pradesh school involved, where a teacher instructed students to slap a fellow Muslim classmate, has been directed to close its doors temporarily while an investigation takes place. Education authorities have issued a notice to the school operator regarding the closure.

In the interim, efforts are underway to ensure minimal disruption to the education of the students. The Education Department is facilitating the transfer of the affected children to nearby schools, ensuring that their academic progress remains uninterrupted during this challenging period.

The teacher at the center of the controversy, Tripta Tyagi, who holds the dual role of being the Principal of Neha Public School in Muzaffarnagar, was captured on video instructing students to slap a 7-year-old Muslim boy. The distressing footage revealed the young student standing tearfully while his classmates took turns to carry out the teacher's instruction. The video further captured the teacher urging the students to strike harder.

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Although the teacher attempted to justify her actions, labeling the incident as a "minor issue," a case has been registered against her. She claimed that external factors compelled her to take such an extreme step, asserting that there was pressure from the child's parents to address his lax approach towards homework.

"I am handicapped, so I made some students slap him so that he would start doing his homework," she explained in her defense.

The child and his parents underwent counseling under the supervision of the child welfare committee. Recounting the harrowing incident, the child's father revealed the extent of his son's distress: "My son is 7 years old. This incident happened on August 24. The teacher made the students beat my child again and again. My son was tortured for an hour or two. He is scared."

The release of the video prompted a widespread outcry across social media platforms. Political figures from various parties condemned the incident, categorising it as a hate crime.

Although the boy's father has expressed his reluctance to press charges against the school, he has made the decision to withdraw his child from attending the institution in question.

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